UFC on Versus 4 preview: Risk is no problem for headliners Marquardt and Story

http://mmajunkie.comIf there were a disclaimer to read before becoming a high-level professional MMA fighter, Nate Marquardt (31-10-2 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Rick Story (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) have read it.

That, or they figured things out along the way.

There’s a lot to lose for both as they step into Sunday’s UFC on Versus 4 fight, which arose from an injury. Marquardt was supposed to headline opposite Anthony Johnson in a scrap that could secure him a position high on the welterweight division’s ladder after he decided to drop from middleweight to welterweight.

That risk, of course, is still there, and it may be stronger now. Story does not yet have the name to command a marquee. And the risk is no better for him. He’s been on a tear in the 170-pound division and just recently earned his biggest career victory. Losing to Marquardt, who hasn’t fought at welterweight since his early days in fighting, would be a huge setback.

Both, however, are undeterred by what could befall them. They’re more concerned about what they have to do to earn a victory when they face off Sunday at UFC on Versus 4, which takes place at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The event’s main card airs live on the Versus channel, and the night’s preliminary card streams on Facebook.

Surprisingly, Marquardt said he needed just a slight turn of the rudder to prepare for Story – a pretty bold statement considering the Washington native is an average 5-foot-10 and not overly big (and Johnson is as massive as they come at 6-foot-2 with 50 pounds of weight cut to make the welterweight limit).

“There’s a lot of differences between him and Anthony Johnson, obviously,” he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “But really my game plan against Johnson was very basic, and my game plan (for Story) is also very basic, so it’s not a huge change for me. A last-minute change like that can be tough if it’s a huge difference in game plan, but for me, it’s not.”

Story is known more as a wrestler who strikes rather than a striker, as Johnson is known. Then again, Johnson won his most recent fight by grinding out Dan Hardy, and he does have amateur-wrestling credentials. Conversely, Story did a lot more striking than usual in his most recent fight against Thiago Alves.

Which type of fight is Marquardt prepared for?

If you’re thinking you know Marquardt’s plan – “punch opponent in face, a lot” – then you might be on to something. Story could see a chink in Marquardt’s armor in wrestling and may choose to replicate the attack of middleweight Chael Sonnen, who polished off double-leg takdown after double-leg takedown in beating Marquardt at UFC 109. It’s a smart move to make when considering the prospect of a slugfest.

Story wasn’t too happy that he took so many punches from Alves in their UFC 130 fight. He was still sore and a bit rundown when he accepted the fill-in slot for Johnson with just a month to prepare. Marquardt has more than proven his ability in the striking department; he leveled Demian Maia with one shot at UFC 102. More than that, though, Marquardt presumably is lighter and faster at welterweight. That could be dangerous when punches start flying.

“I don’t really know exactly what to expect,” Story said. “I know Nate is known as a strong middleweight fighter, and if I go in expecting worse, I’ll be fine.”

However, a loss would bring his momentum to a halt. His takedowns allowed him to carry the day against Alves, and against Marquardt, they could do the same.

It could all go entirely wrong if Marquardt cracks him or, perhaps worse, put him on his back for a lay-and-pray session. But that’s part of the job for which he signed up.

“I look at it as opportunity,” Story said.

For Marquardt, it’s perhaps the start of another run at a UFC title. After a second unsuccessful run at the middleweight belt, it could take him years to get back to the top of that mountain. While it’s dangerous to take a fight with someone at a lower level of recognition, the alternative is waiting, and that’s worse. He long ago learned to accept changes such as this.

The way he sees it, as long as his basics are in place and his mind is right, he will perform.
Have the heavyweights punched themselves out?

Pat Barry (6-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) vs. Cheick Kongo (15-6-2 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) is just the kind of pairing that, on its surface, makes for an easy sell. They’re two heavyweights with a list of TKO and KO victims (and limited ground games), and they stalk prey in the cage. Put them together, and fireworks happen.

But as Barry aptly pointed out on Friday, Kongo isn’t the same guy after back-to-back losses to Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir. He wants the takedown now and likes beating up opponents from top position. He’ll try his hand on the feet for a short while but will shoot at the first opportunity.

Kongo wouldn’t disagree that he’s a different man, but it’s for different reasons than Barry thinks. He’s no longer hobbled by injuries to his lower back and shoulder that he suffered in part when he tried to pound Paul Buentello out against the cage in March 2010. He was not exactly the same guy in his subsequent fight against Travis Browne – possibly the result of those injuries not healing.

If he’s shooting for a takedown on Sunday night, it’s because he needs a victory after an unspectacular 1-2-1 record in his most recent appearances. He’s had several setbacks that have kept him from being a top-tier heavyweight, and a win over Barry would be a huge step forward after an eight-month layoff as a result of those injuries.

Barry, meanwhile, is going to get another chance to prove he can stop the takedown. But he’s also on the line to see whether he’ll let his hands go. He hit his most recent opponent, Joey Beltran, with many a power shot. But he often waited too long for the right opportunity to land a finishing blow, which allowed Beltran to recover and escape (“The Mexicutioner is also just an exceptionally tough guy).

With several months of intense training alongside Brock Lesnar head coach Marty Morgan and a room full of heavyweight wrestlers, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Barry tries to get the fight to the ground. Kongo has been controlled there by grappling standouts, and if an initial salvo of punches and kicks don’t get it done, a takedown might.

Additionally, welterweights John Howard (14-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and Matt Brown (11-10 MMA, 4-4 UFC) face off in what could very well be a loser-goes-home situation.

Both are exciting welterweights who love to stand and brawl. But both have hit a skid in recent times. Howard is emerging from two losses while Brown has three consecutive setbacks marring his resume.

All three of Brown’s losses came by way of submission, which would appear to provide a blueprint for Howard. But Howard’s days of submitting people have been nonexistent since he joined the UFC.

That’s not to say, though, that he couldn’t still get Brown to the canvas and work his way toward a decision. Brown’s submission offense is likely good enough to fend off another tap-out if the fight gets to the mat, and he’ll look to keep the fight on its feet, where it’s likely that the first person to land the big shot will prevail.

Mitrione, a veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter 10,” is on a four-fight win streak that includes a TKO over Tim Hague this past January. Morecraft, meanwhile, is emerging from a submission victory over Sean McCorkle this past March.

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